How to choose a chainsaw

Trying to find the perfect chainsaw for your needs is nowhere near as simple or as straightforward as it used to be in the past.
This isn’t because there are so few top-quality chainsaws to take advantage of these days, but because there are so many! There are a lot of top-tier companies making fantastic chainsaws these days, had a variety of different price points and with intended users in mind, and that’s why you have to really know exactly what you’re getting into when you buy your new chainsaw.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out how to choose a chainsaw that’s perfect for you!

How do you plan on using this chainsaw in the future?

This is the most important question you have to ask yourself before you make this kind of purchase.
Some folks are going to be looking for a chainsaw that lets them quickly trim some light brush around their otherwise well manicured lawn, whereas others are going to be looking for a heavy-duty chainsaw that helps them clear a forested plot of land that they want to build a new house.
Until you know exactly how you plan to use your new chainsaw you’ll have a really tough time sifting through the different options to find the one that’s likely to best suit your needs right down to the ground.

Gasoline or electric?

The overwhelming majority of chainsaws available on the market right now worth purchasing are going to be gasoline operated, but electric chainsaws (intended for lighter duty) are getting better and better every single year.
Gasoline powered chainsaws are much more powerful and able to handle pretty heavy duty jobs, but are also a lot noisier, a lot dirtier, and require a mountain of maintenance to keep them up and running whenever you need to use them.
Electric powered chainsaws, the other hand, are always very lightweight, relatively compact, and capable of handling lightweight jobs without posing a safety risk – but they aren’t the kinds of chainsaws that you’re going to want to use on a consistent or regular basis and always have to be plugged in to a power outlet for operation.

ALWAYS buy a trusted brand name

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes time to purchase a new chainsaw is avoiding the big brand names in the industry and instead going with an inexpensive “offbrand” that most people haven’t ever heard of just to save a few dollars.
All of the big brands have industry reputations that you can verify, have track records for producing high-grade pieces of equipment, and also include high quality components and warranties that protect you as the consumer.
Sure, you might be able to save $50 bucks on a knockoff chainsaw, but at the end of the day you’re going to pay for that in the long run – and sometimes you might pay with an injury rather than with your credit card.
Hopefully these tips and tricks help you find the perfect chainsaw for you!